Using medical tape on your hands can provide essential support for injuries, prevent blisters, or stabilize joints during activity. The specific method varies depending on the area being taped and the type of support needed.
Key Steps Before Taping
Proper preparation is crucial for effective and comfortable hand taping.
- Prepare the Skin: Ensure your hands are clean, completely dry, and free of lotions or oils. Hair can be trimmed in the area if necessary. Cover any open wounds, cuts, or blisters with a sterile dressing before applying tape.
- Select the Correct Tape: Choose an appropriate medical or athletic tape. Rigid athletic tape (like zinc oxide tape) is good for strong immobilization and support, while flexible tapes (like Kinesiology tape) allow for more movement.
Applying Medical Tape to Your Hands
Taping involves applying strips of tape in specific patterns to support muscles, ligaments, or joints. The technique will differ greatly depending on whether you are taping a finger, the palm, the wrist, or providing support to a specific joint like the thumb.
Here are general principles and how tape might be applied, including an example for thumb support:
- Start with Anchors (Sometimes): Often, you begin by placing anchor strips around the wrist or base of the fingers to provide a secure base for other tape strips.
- Apply Supportive Strips: Apply tape strips in overlapping layers along the lines of the muscles or ligaments needing support. The amount of tension depends on the desired level of support versus mobility.
- Example - Thumb Support: For thumb support, taping techniques often involve securing the tape on the wrist or forearm to create leverage. As demonstrated in some methods, tape is applied onto the front of the arm and smoothed down. This initial application provides the first bit of support to the thumb. You would then take tape for subsequent layers, often taking the back off the tape if using tape with a protective backing.
- Smooth as You Go: As you apply each strip, smooth it down firmly to ensure good adhesion and prevent wrinkles or folds, which can cause discomfort or skin irritation.
Finishing the Taping Process
Once all necessary strips are applied, follow these steps:
- Smooth Down All Edges: Press down all the edges and ends of the tape strips to secure them firmly to the skin and underlying tape.
- Check Circulation: It is critical to ensure the tape is not applied too tightly. Check for signs of restricted circulation, such as numbness, tingling, pain, or discoloration (blue or pale skin) in the fingers or hand. If circulation is compromised, remove the tape immediately and reapply less tightly.
- Test Movement: Gently move the taped part of the hand to ensure that the tape allows for necessary functional movement while still providing the intended support or stability.
Important Considerations
Always ensure proper application technique. If you are unsure how to tape for a specific injury or condition, consult a healthcare professional, physical therapist, or certified athletic trainer. Improper taping can potentially cause skin issues, restrict circulation, or worsen an injury.
